Laura Pausini

Having risen to fame in 1993 by winning the best newcomers' section at the Sanremo Music Festival in her homeland with the track that would become her debut single, 'La Solitudine', Laura Pausini has since cemented her place as one of her country’s most beloved pop stars, over the course of a career that’s now lasted more than two decades.

Her self-titled debut album sold two million copies worldwide, with particular success across Europe, and the follow-up - 1994's 'Laura' - went one better by selling three million copies, confirming Pausini as an international star. That feat is made all the more impressive when you consider the fact that Pausini has never managed to break into the English-speaking market

Still, with in excess of seventy million records sold across the globe, it's difficult to imagine the lack of English-speaking success keeping Pausini awake at night – especially when you take into account the impressive array of awards she’s won over the course of her career. Including multiple Latin Grammy Awards, a Billboard Latin Music Award and four World Music Awards. She was also the first ever Italian female to win a Grammy Award, for Best Latin Pop Album in 2006.